STUDENTFILMMAKERS: How has workflow and storage changed over the years?

Clement Barberis, LaCie Marketing Manager: Not so long ago, it was difficult and very expensive to have access to computing power, therefore workflow to most Creative was limited to setup they could afford.

So computer equipment was the main bottleneck to workflow and resolution being worked on. With the launch of the Thunderbolt technology in 2011, it suddenly became affordable to have access to real computer power (faster than fiber channel), which was also a robust technology (more robust than fiber channel) and as simple as being plug and play (as opposition with fiber channel). This broke a lot of workflow boundaries, and opened access to HD, 4K, 6K, 8K and beyond workflow. On top of that, platform like Vimeo and Youtube really improved their bandwidth to the point that today it is easy, free to share your workflow in high definition (up to 4K). Consequently, sharing one’s work moved from being extremely elitist to become extremely accessible. To the point that today, anyone has a chance to Create, Share and being Recognized for one’s work. This explosion in potential content creators translated into an explosion in storage needs, moving from what used to be around 1TB to be today up to 10TB for one project.

STUDENTFILMMAKERS: How does LaCie determine and address the needs of filmmakers, creatives, and people who work in different motion picture formats?

Clement Barberis, LaCie Marketing Manager: LaCie has closed to 30 years experience of serving the content creators communities. We’ve learned with them as technologies evolved. Being able to always offer best-in-class and cutting edge technologies with best performance and reliability and listening to our audience is driving to alway rethink our product portfolio to focus on the solving everyone’s biggest challenges. Our job is to limit as much as possible boundaries to creativity. We believe that technology should not a be a show stopper, and instead should supporting the largest and biggest porject, at every level, whether you work for a multinational production or you are a single independent filmmaker. We offer solutions made for big ideas.

STUDENTFILMMAKERS: Can you share with us some of the key features and benefits of the LaCie DJI Copilot?

Connie Wai, DJI Copilot Marketing Manager: Creative professionals know that backing up their work as soon as possible is critical. As a result, backup happens as close to the point of capture in the creative workflow as one can manage. The LaCie DJI Copilot is designed to address this need by allowing professionals to backup in-field, on the set without needing a computer.

The LaCie DJI Copilot allows you to ingest content directly from SD cards through its integrated SD card reader so you can hike to a remote location to capture stunning shots and back them all up on the spot without having to bring a laptop. The direct connection provides you with the necessary speed for large volume transfers and the computer-less ingestion lightens their load. You can also connect other USB devices like a USB card reader to ingest directly from other types of memory cards such as CF cards. The embedded USB Hub means that you can even ingest from other hard drives as well as cameras and drones.

The Copilot status screen displays critical information such as how your backup is progressing, the amount of capacity left, and battery status keeping you well-informed of key information while additional control can be accessed via the Copilot BOSS app.

With the Copilot BOSS app and included dedicated cable, you can connect your iOS or Android devices to play back video up to 4K resolution and view uncompressed RAW images in full resolution with no lag time so that you can preview your shots on the go. You can also sort and organize, and rename your files with the app as well. This means that you can organize your files anywhere, any time without having to pull out a laptop or get back to your editing station.

We’ve really worked hard to consider the feedback from our Creative Professionals and make this a valuable addition to their equipment lists. The LaCie DJI Copilot can be used as a backup battery to charge your USB rechargeable devices if you find yourself in a power pinch–and let’s face it, who hasn’t had that experience even with just your own cel phone at some point–and it’s also designed for rough handling. It’s both drop resistant and IP54 dust and water resistant. You can be out on location where it’s rugged, remote, and rainy. The last thing you want to do is pull out a laptop to backup your footage. And you don’t have to anymore. All you have to do is pull out your LaCie DJI Copilot. It will recognize your card or device, hit the button, and it will back up for you.

STUDENTFILMMAKERS: What makes the LaCie DJI Copilot stand out from its competitors?

Connie Wai, DJI Copilot Marketing Manager: The auto detect and easy-to-use one-touch button allows you to begin ingesting data in under 20 seconds which is pretty notable. The plug-and play connection to mobile devices combined the Copilot BOSS app provide quick and easy viewing of 4k video and RAW files on your smartphone and tablet. Professionals working with large, high-resolution files will appreciate the speed that comes with the direct connection and with the Copilot BOSS app, you are truly viewing the file as it is–there’s not interpolation.